7 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Incheon

Sinpo Dakgangjeong is located inside Sinpo Market in Incheon and close to Exit 27 of Sinpo Underground Shopping Mall. It is famous for its consistent taste for over 30 years. Outside the restaurant, the chicken is constantly fried and seasoned with spices, and the waiting line is only too long. There are only two items on the menus: fried chicken and Sinpo Dakgangjeong (sweet crunchy fried chicken). The fried chicken is similar to plain old-fashioned chicken, yet crispy. Dakgangjeong is crispy, spicy and sweet even with seasoning, so once you eat it, you will always remember it.

Seongjin Multeombeong has been selling steamed anglerfish since 1970, when restaurants specialising in multeombung began to gather in Yonghyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Incheon. The side dish that goes well with the spicy steamed anglerfish comes first, followed by the bright red and spicy steamed anglerfish. The soft and tender flesh is lightly seasoned with soy sauce, so it is perfect to eat with crunchy bean sprouts. No matter how full you are, don't forget to try the fried rice.

In Dorim-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, there is Samsong Garden, which uses only domestic pork ribs without the use of artificial seasonings and preservatives. After placing the pork ribs on the charcoal grill, turn them quickly to avoid burning them. Try the grilled ribs with naengmyeon (iced noodle soup) or pickled onions. The richly juicy and savoury pork tastes even better when eaten with cold naengmyeon.

Onggi Kkotgejang is a restaurant where you can eat gejang (marinated fresh raw crabs) with unlimited refills, and soy sauce gejang and seasoned gejang appear quickly as soon as you order. It is nicknamed 'the rice thief', as the dishes pair so well with rice. Whether you have fresh soy sauce gejang that is unsalted and plump, or seasoned gejang that is spicy and seasoned well, you can eat a bowl of rice alongside it with ease. The spicy and hot blue crab soup is also recommended. The hot soup relaxes the stomach, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. It's a taste you really can’t forget.

Maehwamareum is a cafe in Ganghwa Island that resembles a country house with a pretty garden. The hand-drip coffee roasted by the barista himself, as well as the homemade cakes and bakery items, are delicious. There are many seats in the main building and the annex, so you have to visit and sample a variety of dishes from the menu. It's a wonderful cafe that can make you happy while just looking at the beautiful garden that plays a large part in the wonderful scenery.

Yeongyeong is the most famous place in Incheon's Chinatown, boasting an impressive exterior. Among Yeongyeong's many menu items, the most popular is the white jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) made with chunjang, which is made of white beans aged for 60 days. It is more popular than regular jjajangmyeon because it is light and savoury. Jjamppong (spicy seafood soup) with plentiful of seafood is also a popular menu item not to be missed, so no matter which dish you choose here, you won't regret it.

Choyang Textile is a vintage factory cafe made by remodelling a textile factory on Ganghwa Island. As it was once a factory, it boasts plenty of space, so you don't have to worry about it running out of seats. Thanks to the old details left on purpose, it feels like the set of a movie or drama. The drinks and baked goods sold here are delicious, but there are also so many things to see in every corner of the building, so you can easily pass time just walking and looking around.